Besides sump pumps, ejector pumps, and batter backup systems, the Tramco Pump Company also manufactures the 900 series of flood control systems.  These systems can be installed inside or outside of the home, depending on homeowner preference and the configuration of the existing pipes.  The Tramco 950 is typically installed in the front yard, while the 960 is installed in the basement floor.  Each unit comes with a heavy-duty pump enclosed in an aluminum encasement, and the flow is controlled with a system of check valves.  The Tramco flood control system keeps city sewers from backing up into your basement, while allowing waste to continue exiting your home.

Tramco systems are extremely reliable and Tramco, along with the Scottish Plumber, guarantee each system for 10 years with both parts and installation covered.  And while most flood control systems require regular maintenance, such as cleaning the lines, and lubricating the check valves, the Tramco system is virtually maintenance-free.

For a free estimate on installing a Tramco flood control system or any other type of flood control such as our double-check valve system, sump pumps, ejector pumps, or battery backups, give us a call at 888-451-6137 or contact us here.

2. Make sure your sump pump pit is properly sized.

3. Clean out the bottom of the sump pump pit to prevent debris from entering the pump.

4. Install a battery back-up system to ensure that your sump pump continues working
during power loss.

5. Have your foundation inspected for cracks.

6. Have your drain tile inspected.

7. Convert to overhead sewer to prevent city sewers from backing up into your basement.

8. Install a double-check valve flood control system.

9. Install a Tramco flood control system.

10. Move somewhere where it doesn’t rain.  Note: try the previous nine options first! ]]> http://www.scottishplumber.com/10-ways-to-stop-basement-flooding/feed/ 0 http://www.scottishplumber.com/chicago-flood-control-help-the-spring-is-here/ http://www.scottishplumber.com/chicago-flood-control-help-the-spring-is-here/#comments Fri, 09 Mar 2012 16:49:26 +0000 simon@scottishplumber.com http://www.scottishplumber.com/?p=1530 Continue reading →]]> Here in Chicago we dread our winters.  That’s why when the old man came and went with barely a whimper, we all let out a collective sigh of relief.  No snowmaggedon this year!!!

But, that doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods, weather-wise.  The strange winter could be a harbinger of more weird weather to come.  That means the potential for many torrential downpours, thunderstorms, and flash floods.  And that’s not very good news for the aging municipal storm sewer systems all over Chicagoland.

In just the last two years, we’ve seen some of the worst flooding to ever hit Chicago.  Last year’s July storms hit homeowners harder and flooded more basements than most of us had ever experienced.  City sewers became filled to capacity and overflowed into people’s homes.  To prevent the same from happening this year, be proactive.

If you’ve experienced basement flooding in the past, and you’ve done nothing to address the underlying cause, then you can expect more of the same.  There are different reasons for basement flooding, but each one of them has a solution.  You can find more information here on our flood control page or on our sump pump page.

This year, make the right decision, and have your home inspected by a flood control specialist.  If you call The Scottish Plumber, the assessment is free, and we will present you with several options to help fit your needs and your budget.  You won’t regret it, and you’ll finally be able to stop building that ark.

Are you experiencing sewer odor or rats?  You may even have sewer gas or hidden leaks that you are unaware of.  The culprit may be a cracked or broken sewer, or an otherwise damaged drain pipe.  The Scottish Plumber can now help find problems and protect your system by using the most advanced and accurate testing system available.

Let The Scottish Plumber, a 2-time Super Service Award winner and “A” rated company on Angie’s List, help you find the problem with our new odorless, non-staining, non-toxic smoke system, which can identify the location of any leak in your drains pipes.

Here is how it works.  By forcing smoke-filled air through a plumbing system using a special machine, leaks are quickly detected as smoke escapes through the problem areas.

Smoke testing has become a world-wide standard for finding leaks in sewer and plumbing systems.  And since the smoke is perfectly safe, it has even been approved for use in schools.

The great news is that they can have their cake and eat it, too.  The Scottish Plumber’s Trenchless Sewer Relining process can save both your yard and your money.  Most procedures are less expensive than traditional excavation, and there’s no need for expensive landscape and hardscape restorations.

For more information on Trenchless Sewer Repair, visit the trenchless section of the Scottish Plumber website or read this article from Angie’s List Magazine.

Aerators should be removed annually and checked for mineral deposits built up inside of the openings. You should be able to get these deposits off with just water and a brush, but if you can’t, soaking in vinegar should do the trick.

Another common symptom of a clogged aerator is an irregular spray pattern or a stray stream of water going off at an odd direction. If you see this happening, it’s time for a cleaning.

2. Valves not open all the way
Occasionally, one of the valves controlling the water supply to your home gets stuck in a slightly closed position and restricts the flow. This usually happens either at the meter valve or at the main valve. The meter valve is found in the meter box, while the main valve is located near the outside hose faucet. Make sure both are in the open position by turning in a counterclockwise direction.

Be careful when dealing with older valves. They may be brittle and have the potential to break. Old gate valves, which tend to get stuck or break at the most inopportune times, should be replaced with ball valves, which are much more reliable over time, and much easier to use.

3. Your old pipes are made of galvanized steel
Calcium and other mineral deposits love galvanized steel. So much, in fact, that they often stay behind, making a home inside of your pipes. Over time, the inside diameter of the pipe is reduced to a point where the water flow becomes restricted.

There is no easy solution. Once a pipe becomes blocked with sediment, the only way to repair the problem is to replace the pipe.

4. There is a hidden leak
A leak at any point in your water supply system can result in low pressure. If the leak is not visible, there is a way to check.

First, shut off all the faucets inside and outside of your home. Check the meter reading and write it down. Wait several hours, and check the meter again. If there is an increase in water usage, you probably have a leak.

At this point, you should call a plumber. An unattended leak can not only increase your water bill, it can also wreak havoc on your walls, ceilings, and floors.

5. Municipal water pressure is inadequate.
The water supply for many towns in the Chicagoland area is dependent on century-old infrastructure. So, while the ideal water pressure for the average home is between 40 and 60 psi, many municipalities deliver substantially less than that.

If the municipal pressure coming into your home is inadequate, the problem can be resolved by installing a booster pump. But first, you must make sure that this is what’s causing the problem. The Scottish Plumber can test the water pressure coming into your home using a special pressure gauge and tell you whether a booster pump is a good solution for your specific problem.

If you need help with any water pressure issue, call The Scottish Plumber at 888-622-2564, or visit our website at www.scottishplumber.com.

All of the Lombard plumbers at The Scottish Plumber are professionally trained to use the latest plumbing technology available, such as a sewer video camera or non-invasive (no-dig or trenchless) pipe repair.

Video camera pipe inspection is a plumbing service that can reveal what we cannot see with the naked eye. The video camera pipe inspection machine can snake down into those hard to reach pipes and give us an up close and personal look at their condition. This allows us to more precisely locate pipe issues such as cracks, holes, and corroded areas. An in-depth plumbing inspection should include video camera pipe inspection, so if this is what you are looking for, please contact the Lombard plumbers at The Scottish Plumber today.

Drain rodding is helpful in removing solid obstructions, and you may be surprised by the things we have found in shower drains and bathroom sinks! When we perform drain rodding as part of our $99 Villa Park drain cleaning service package, we will also come back and re-rod that same drain free of charge if it clogs again within a year of our initial visit.

If you are looking to schedule a plumbing maintenance visit from The Scottish Plumber, then why not make it a $99 drain cleaning visit? Our drain cleaning services, which include up to 2 drain rodding procedures, are backed by customer satisfaction for several years. Please call us to learn more about drain rodding.

Attic pipe repair is a plumbing service that can really make winter easier to bear this year. Attic pipes are usually more exposed than pipes that run underground or near the foundation of your home, meaning cold air can reach them more easily that submersed piping. Cold air coupled with moisture is a recipe for attic pipe freezing, so rather than incur the expense of repairing those hard-to-reach attic pipes, we encourage you to contact an Elmhurst plumber or Elmhurst plumbing contractor for an attic pipe inspection visit.

The Scottish Plumber is proud to offer many residential plumbing and commercial plumbing services such as video camera pipe inspection, pipe relining, trenchless sewer replacement, plumbing fixture installation, sewer cleaning, drain cleaning, and sewer and drain maintenance, bathroom renovation assistance, toilet repairs, sink repairs, kitchen fixture repairs, bathroom fixture repairs, and much more. Call an Elmhurst plumber or Elmhurst plumbing contractor from The Scottish Plumber to learn more.

Having a working sump pump is one way to ensure that your basement will at least have a means of ameliorating a basement flooding situation. Same with a battery back up sump pump. The battery back up sump pump is what provides power to your sump pump in case of a power outage or power surge. Having these sump pump systems in place with routine sump pump maintenance (or sump pump installation if your basement does not have one) will reduce the risk of basement flooding damaging your home.

The Scottish Plumber’s team of Downers Grove plumbers and Downers Grove plumbing contractors are professionally trained to install, maintain, and replace pumps and battery backup systems which can help prevent winter flooding in your residential or commercial property. Simply pick up the phone and call us today to learn more about winter flood prevention tips.